Peach tree

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree which is of large size, vigorous and upright in growth; the tree being a regular and productive bearer of large, firm, yellow flesh, freestone fruit of high red skin color, with excellent eating and shipping quality in the late maturing season.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was originated by me in myexperimental orchard located at Modesto, Calif., as an open pollenatedseedling of O'Henry Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,964). These seedlingswere grown and maintained under close observation by me and the presentvariety which evidenced distinctive desirable characteristics wasselected for asexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was asexually reproduced by budding,as performed by me, in my experimental orchard located at Modesto,Calif., shows that said characteristics come true to form and areestablished and transmitted through succeeding propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree is of large size, vigorous, uprightgrowth; which is a regular and productive bearer of large, firm, yellowflesh, freestone fruit, with an attractive red skin color and excellenteating and shipping quality; the fruit is further characterized byhaving fruit that colors two to three weeks before ripening and having amore attractive high red skin color than other peaches in the latematuring season ripening two weeks after O'Henry Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 2,964).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic illustrations show typical specimens ofthe foliage and fruit of my new variety, an exterior and sectional viewof the fruit with the stone in place and the section of a branch withthe upper and lower surface of the foliage being illustrated. Thephotographs were taken shortly after being picked at maturity (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of peach tree and its fruit, with color definitions(except those in common terms) referenced to Reinhold Color Atlas, by A.Korneruf and J. H. Wanscher as based upon observations of specimensgrown at Modesto, Calif.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Productivity.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium stocky.

Texture.--Medium shaggy.

Branches:

Size.--Medium stocky.

Texture.--Smooth to medium rough.

Color.--Brown to grayish brown.

Lenticels.--Medium size, medium quantity.

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 7". Average width -- 11/2".

Form.--Lanceolate, acutely pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Average length -- 9/16". Average width -- 3/32".

Gland.--Average number 4, range 2 to 6. Reniform. Positioned on lowerpart of leaf blade and upper part of petiole.

Color.--Upper surface -- deep green (27-F-6 to 28-F-7). Lower surface --grayish green (28-E-6 to 28-E-7).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium to large.

Form.--Plump.

Pubescence.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Size.--Large -- showy.

Blooming period.--Feb. 27, 1977 to Mar. 10, 1977. Varies sightly withclimatic conditions.

Pollen.--Present.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Hard ripe.

Date of first picking.--Aug. 29, 1977.

Date of last picking.--Sept. 5, 1977.

Size.--Large. Average diameter axially -- 27/8" to 31/8". Averagetransversely in suture plane -- 23/4" to 3".

Form.--Globose -- nearly symmetrical.

Suture.--Shallow.

Ventral surface.--Nearly round -- some slightly lipped.

Apex.--Rounded to slightly retuse.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Round. Average depth -- 1/2". Average width -- 11/16".

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Tenacious to flesh when firm ripe. Free when soft ripe.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderate. Medium length.

Color.--Bright yellow ground color -- (4-A-8 to 5-A-8) overspread withred -- (8-A-8 to 9-B-8).

Flesh:

Color.--Dark yellow (4-A-8) to cadmium orange (5-A-8), with red (9-B-8)near stone. Surface of pit cavity -- red, with yellow fibers.

Texture.--Firm.

Fibers.--Few, tender.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Mild.

Juice.--Moderate.

Aroma.--Moderate.

Eating quality.--Excellent.

Stone:

Type.--Freestone.

Size.--Large. Average length -- 1 7/16". Average width -- 1". Averagethickness -- 9/16".

Form.--Ovid.

Base.--Mostly straight.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Sides.--Equal to unequal.

Surface.--Furrowed toward apex and pitted toward base.

Ridges.--Rounded.

Tendency to split.--Very slight.

Color.--Light brown.

Use: Local and long distance markets. Dessert.

Keeping quality: Excellent.

Shipping quality: Excellent.

The present variety of peach tree and its fruit herein described asgrown by me at my experimental orchard at Modesto, Calif., the varietymay vary in slight detail due to different climatic, soil conditions andcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as described andillustrated, characterized by its large size, vigor, upright growth; andbeing a regular and productive bearer of large, firm, yellow flesh,freestone fruit with excellent eating and shipping quality; it isfurther characterized by having fruit that colors two to three weeksbefore maturity and having a more attractive red skin color than otherlate season varieties, ripening two weeks after O'Henry Peach (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 2,964).